This wiggly rainbow caterpillar is fun to make and play with. It comes as part of the Bugs Galore DIY Kit.
The idea originally came to me when I saw a paper circle caterpillar online. Since I had a bunch of pre-cut wood circles, I started wondering if I could make the caterpillar using those circles instead. I wanted to make an actionable toy.
The Bugs Galore DIY Kit comes with supplies to make 4 bugs: Caterpillar, Adult Dragonfly, Baby Dragonfly and Ladybug. This kit is great for makers 3 to 6 years old.
After a lot of experimentation, including trying to create that movement that I wanted. I finally got it. BTW, brads were the answer to making the circles move against each other to create that wiggly motion.
What I also like about this caterpillar is that it is a very easy activity and perfect for younger makers. It helps to build on fine motor skills and allows each child to be as creative as they want.
So, how do you make this caterpillar? Check out the photo instructions below as well as the DIY video above.
Supplies that come in the kit: 1 head piece 1.5″ wood circle with 3 pre drilled holes, 5 body pieces 1.5″ wood circles body parts with 2 pre drilled holes each, 1 bottom piece 1.5″ wood circle bwith 1 pre drilled hole, 6 multi colored brads, 2 wire antennae, 2 plastic eyes.
Additional supplies required but not included as part of the kit: coloring implement/tool (I used paint markers & sharpies) and pliers.
And additional supplies recommended but not required: disposable glove, paper towels if using paint and paper to cover your workspace.
First step is to color all your wood pieces. Feel free to go crazy with your design. I tend to like to go rainbow style. But you can color all the pieces the same color if you want or draw some kind of design on them like polka dots or strips. Be unique.
Here are all my pieces colored in.
Now, it’s time to work on the antenna. Place the coiled section of the wire inbetween the plier jaws.
Push the rest of the wire down until the tip is pointing down.
Remove the antenna from the pliers and hold it as shown in the photo above. It should look like a mini wire chair: the coiled part as the seat and the rest of the wire is the back of the chair.
Repeat with the other antenna.
Next, insert an antenna into one of the small holes of the head piece. Insert it from the bottom and then make sure the coiled part is laying flush against the bottom.
Then insert the antenna into the plastic eye. Push the eye down the wire until it is sitting flush against the wood.
Next, insert the tip of the antenna into the jaws of the pliers. Wrap the wire around the pliers to create a loop and then remove the pliers. Repeat on the other side.
Now it is time to assemble the caterpillar. Take one of the brads and insert into the large hole of the head. While holding the brad in place on the head, insert the brad legs onto the first body piece.
Turn the caterpillar upside down and then separate the legs and flatten them against the wood. Check to see if the brad is on too tightly. Move the circles back and forth to make sure they move smoothly and easily.
Then continue attaching the rest of the pieces.
All done. My caterpillar is ready to play.